After being one of the first hospitals in the country – and the only facility in the area – to trial the innovative TOPS System for treating back pain, Ascension St. Vincent’s has announced it will now fully include the technology at its Southside campus.
This technology is used to treat a range of conditions mainly associated with back and spinal pain. It is an alternative to traditional fusion surgeries for patients suffering from a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back.
The system allows for greater rotation, bending and extension compared to traditional counterparts and many patients find they have improved walking and movement mobility within 48 hours of their procedure.
“This technology will significantly improve the lives of those suffering from back pain and will enhance our ability to treat the conditions associated with it,” said St. Vincent’s neurosurgeon Dr. Ali Chahlavi. “By introducing this equipment, we are making a commitment to our patients and community at-large.”
St. Vincent’s Southside has earned numerous specialty awards in neurosciences and surgery from Healthgrades over the last few years. This includes being named a top-100 hospital in the country for spine surgery for 2024 and 2022, and earning cranial neurosurgery and surgical care excellence awards in 2022.
“We always aim to offer the most advanced care available for those in Northeast Florida,” said St. Vincent’s Southside President James Machado. “This technology will undoubtedly improve the lives of those who seek care to alleviate back pain.”
For more information about this procedure and neurosurgical care at St. Vincent’s, go to ascension.org.
